Team

John Camero

Executive Director/Headmaster

Mr. Camero has held ministry positions in the Church of God Seventh Day, throughout the United States and Canada, for over 30 years. His service includes being Chairman of the COG7 National Youth Agency, Youth Pastor, and Senior Pastor. His heart is for serving the Lord in whatever way God leads. Mr. Camero has served Spring Vale in various positions for over 16 years. These positions have included Dean of Boys, Bible Teacher, Music Director, and currently as the Executive Director. His family has been a part of Spring Vale since the early 1950s! He is an alumnus of the class of 1993, along with his wife, Christie. Together, they have three children who are all Alumni of Spring Vale, classes 2013, 2019, and 2024. Mr. Camero has Seminary training from Liberty University, LifeSpring School of Ministry, and Artios Christian College. He holds an LPC from Artios and a Certificate in Leading Nonprofit Organizations from Eastern Michigan University.

Joanna R. Camero

Director of Education

Joanna graduated from UNC-Greensboro with a BS in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. She also holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. Joanna has worked in many different aspects of the education field for 20+ years. Her greatest blessings are her four children. Joanna is passionate about quality, Christian education and enthusiastic about creating a school environment where students thrive in their learning.

Danae Daria

Office Administrator

Danae Daria is a wife and mother of three who loves Jesus, education, learning, organization, and helping others. She is a passionate follower of Jesus and finds great joy in following His will and serving others. In addition to her role as Office Administrator at Spring Vale, Danae also serves on staff at Church of Jubilee, where she enjoys ministering to and encouraging others. She has taught children and adults for more than twenty years and loves helping people discover and develop their God-given talents. Having her youngest son attend Spring Vale is a special joy, and Danae is incredibly grateful to be part of the Spring Vale family. She loves the people, community, and mission of Spring Vale and feels truly blessed to serve alongside such a wonderful team.

Kelly LaHaine

Junior Kindergarten Teacher

Kelly started teaching Junior Kindergarten at Spring Vale in 2022 and has taught Preschool for a total of eleven years. She has always had a passion for caring for and teaching children. Kelly received a degree in science from Purdue University. She is married with four children. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her dog and two cats. Kelly feels very blessed to be able to share the love of Jesus with her students. She refers to Spring Vale as her “happy place.”

Andrea Fuller

Kindergarten Teacher

Hi everyone! My name is Ms. Andrea or Mrs. Fuller. I am a married mother of two wonderful children with three dogs. My son is a Coastguardsman and my daughter is a student here at Spring Vale Christian School. I have always enjoyed working with children and I am currently working towards my BA in Elementary Education grades K-6. When I am not at school, I am leading my church’s youth choir and helping with our youth bible study group. I love reading, cooking, baking and board games.

Terriana Daria

JK/Kindergarten Assistant

Terriana Daria is passionate about working with children and is currently pursuing her education with the goal of becoming a teacher. She has previous experience working with elementary-aged children and is excited to continue growing professionally while building meaningful relationships with the children and families of Spring Vale. Terriana enjoys creating a warm, supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and feel encouraged each day. “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

Hope Kendrick

1st Grade Teacher

Hope Kendrick is a Spring Vale graduate and has been teaching kindergarten since the start of the grammar school in 2019. She has a degree in early childhood education and has worked in education for over 10 years along with homeschooling her own four children. Two of her children have already graduated from Spring Vale, and two currently attend. Her passion for early childhood is evident when you speak with her or walk past her classroom. She especially loves teaching students how to read and never gets tired of observing that light bulb moment.

Karla Harris

2nd Grade Teacher

Tamela Rindal

3rd Grade Teacher

I have spent six years teaching third-grade students in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have a bachelor's and a master's degree in business administration, focusing on leadership and information technology management from Capella University. I am working towards a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, which I plan to complete in June. In my free time, I enjoy outdoor activities such as paddleboarding, hiking, and traveling with my dog, Dash. I love painting, gardening, yoga, and learning American Sign Language with Dash. I am excited to be part of the growth in the grace and knowledge of our God within the Spring Vale community.

Chloe Hinds

4th Grade Teacher

Chloe Hinds is a Spring Vale graduate. She has always had a passion for working with children. She spent a lot of time helping out in the grammar school during her Junior year of high school. This was the year the grammar school opened! In March, 2022, there was a need for a paraprofessional in the second grade classroom. She was given the opportunity to live on campus and work the last two months of that school year. The following year she worked at the school as a paraprofessional in the third grade classroom. At the end of the year she was asked to be the fourth grade teacher. She is now in her third year of teaching fourth grade. She loves the students and the school.

Judith Cole

5th Grade Teacher

Judith (Kuchar) Cole grew up in New Lothrop until graduating high school. After 35 years away, she has taken the long road home by way of Florida and Arkansas to finally come back to her beloved Michigan roots. Judith was a substitute teacher in the Miami-Dade Public Schools for three years before obtaining a BA in Psychology and MSEd in Elementary Education from the University of Miami. She spent many years homeschooling six of her nine children before joining the Spring Vale family. Her three youngest children are now attending SVCS. Judith is very excited to be back in a classroom setting and blessed to speak openly to students about God's glorious Creation.

Anthony Daria

6th Grade Teacher

Anthony Daria grew up in Beaumont Texas and, after graduating from high school, attended Christ For the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas. With a heart for ministry and discipleship, he has faithfully served as a Youth Pastor for 20 years, investing in the lives of students and families. In 2016, Mr. Daria, his wife, and their three children followed God’s leading to the beautiful state of Michigan. Mr.Daria began his career as a 6th-grade teacher at Spring Vale in 2025 and has loved every moment of the journey. He is passionate about helping his students grow academically, personally, and spiritually, and he works hard to create a classroom environment where they feel supported and encouraged each day. Anthony especially values being part of a Christian school community that upholds strong Biblical values, which he is honored to integrate into his teaching and daily interactions with students. Outside the classroom, he enjoys caring for plants and gardening—an extension of the same patience and dedication he brings to nurturing young minds. He is also committed to his ongoing personal and professional development and is currently pursuing a B.A In Biblical Counseling at Valor Christian College in Columbus Ohio.

Jonathan Albert

7-12 Math Teacher

Jonathan has had a love for Spring Vale ever since he started attending his junior year in August of 1989. He graduated in 1991, returned to Texas, and graduated from Texas State University with his BS in Math and Teacher Certification in 1995, and immediately began teaching/coaching at Spring Vale. He was told by the school director at that time, Richard Wiedenheft, "the board said you are an investment that we couldn’t pass up,” and he hopes he has fulfilled this vision that was given to him. Over the years, Jonathan has come and gone and come back again to serve the school in a variety of positions. Math teacher, boys' and girls' basketball coach, Bible teacher, board member, Principal, Director, Vocational education teacher, PE teacher, Psychology teacher, and Health teacher. Jonathan truly loves SVCS and has had 7 of his 10 children graduate from the school and currently has 2 children and a grandchild attending. Jonathan is also an Advanced Certified Trauma Practitioner and has 10 years of social work experience and over 1000 training hours completed. Jonathan has trained for the state of Michigan and both MSU and CMU’s social work programs. He is an adoptive father (and vocal supporter of adoption), stepfather, biological father, and grandfather and has been blessed to share experiences of his journey. Jonathan loves God and strives to serve Him with all his heart. A native Texan, Jonathan retains his accent and love of his native state; just ask him!

Kendra Noble

History Teacher

Kendra Noble holds BS and BSE degrees from Central Michigan University in History, English, and Art and a MA in American History from American Public University. Kendra currently teaches Humanities part-time at SVCS. She has taught History classes on and off at SVCS for 15 years. Her passion is teaching US History and Government. Kendra also taught part-time at Baker College in Owosso for 7 years

Martha Rohrbaugh

English Teacher

Martha Rohrbaugh is a graduate of Penn State University, class of 1998. There, she earned a degree in the Humanities and Secondary English Education. She tutored writing through some of her college years and enjoys helping Spring Vale students to improve their writing skills, too. She has taught at Spring Vale in the Language Arts department since 2016. She is the mother of two children who have since grown into adulthood, and both have 3 sons. Martha finds joy in teaching each student at Spring Vale, encouraging and coaching them to be all that God created them to be. She also enjoys leading classroom discussions on classic literature and teaching students how literature historically influenced our culture and worldviews.

Geunyoung Kim

JK-12 Music Teacher

Geunyoung Kim began her musical journey at the age of 4 with piano lessons and started violin lessons at the age of 7. Her talent has been recognized with several awards, including Third Prize at the Premiere Chamber Orchestra National Competition in Seoul, South Korea, Third Prize at the Guri-si Symphony Orchestra Competition in Seoul, South Korea, Second Prize at the Minerva Orchestra Competition in Seoul, South Korea, and Third Prize at the Korea Festival Chamber Competition in Seoul, South Korea. Geunyoung graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from Dankook University in South Korea under Dr. Sarm Kim. She continued her studies with a performance certificate program, Master's and Doctorate of Musical Arts in Violin Performance at Michigan State University under Professor I-Fu Wang. She has received several prestigious awards, including the Dankook University Scholarship (2011-2012), the Romeo Tata Graduate Fellowship (2022-2023), and the Michigan State University Scholarship (2019-2024). Beyond her work as a performer, Geunyoung Kim is passionate about teaching across multiple disciplines, including private and orchestral teaching. During her time as an MSU String Fellow, Kim honed her teaching strategies and pedagogy through hands-on experience and string coaching at various educational institutions, including Okemos High School, Chippewa Middle School, St. Johns High School and Middle School, Waverly High School, and the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony Orchestra. While serving as a substitute teacher at Expressions Music Academy in Novi, MI, she has adjudicated for the Expression Music Academy’s North American Music Competition, where her top priorities as a judge were to help guide students to improve and become more interested in music. With over 10 years of teaching experience, she has taught individual and group lessons for many years, working with students ranging in age from three years old to adults. Many of her students went on to win awards in music competitions and successfully auditioned for youth orchestras. Kim organized concerts for her students every semester, providing them with musical rigor and a sense of achievement. To gain a better understanding and inspiration, she enrolled in Suzuki teacher training through the ECC (Every Child Can!) program in 2024 to develop her skills in the Suzuki method. Kim recognizes the varied cultural perspectives on music and strives to expand her understanding of diversity in culturally meaningful ways, embracing her students' diverse identities. She is passionate about sharing the joy she experiences from performing and practicing with her students.

Luisa Petroff

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

I was born in Surigao del Sur, Philippines. I received a BA in English from Holy Cross of Davao College, Philippines. I teach Junior Kindergarten at Spring Vale and Sunday School at Owosso Bible Church. I am passionate about working with young children and teaching them academics and Bible truths. I love spending time with my husband, family, and friends. I feel blessed to be part of the ministry here at Spring Vale.

Sam Caraway

Maintenance Manager

Mr. Caraway serves as Maintenance Manager at Spring Vale. In his role, he provides oversight, facility repairs and maintenance, while working closely with staff, students, and families to ensure a Christ-centered environment marked by excellence, accountability, and care. He is committed to strengthening programs that foster growth in students including various "Life Skills" classes, and initiating the first Spring Vale Christian School Clay Team where Coach Caraway serves as head coach of the Clay target shooting team. Sam views his work as more than a JOB—it is an extension of his commitment to the ministry of the Church of God (Seventh Day) through Spring Vale Christian School. He is quoted saying "It doesn't feel like work when you work for the Lord". He has served in leadership roles of the church including Sabbath School Superintendent, M.C. and Church boards from several churches. He is passionate about advancing the mission of the school as a place where faith and learning are woven together, and where young people are encouraged to develop a lifelong relationship with God. Prior to his work at SVCS, Sam Graduated with an Associates in Applied Science in Occupational Therapy. He has built a strong professional background in leadership and healthcare services, where he was an Occupational Therapy Assistant, and for a time Director of Rehab. Recognized for his dedication to both excellence and compassion, he was honored with the "CEO Care Matters Award" from Reliant Rehabilitation in 2020. Out of the company's nearly 3,000 employees nationally, 142 were nominated and 8 team members received this most distinguished honor, a distinction given to team members who go above and beyond in serving others and demonstrating outstanding commitment to care. At the heart of Samuel’s life is his love for God, which shapes his leadership style and daily interactions. He strives to lead with integrity, humility, and a servant’s heart, reflecting the values he hopes to instill in students. Sam also deeply values his family. He has been married since 1997 and is grateful for the blessing of three children, a daughter in law, a son in law, and granddaughter. His daughter served as assistant girls dean, and his sons graduated from SVCS in 2020 and 2022. He treasures time spent with them and considers his role as a husband, father, and "Papa Sam" to be his greatest blessings. Through his work at Spring Vale Christian School, Sam remains dedicated to developing students who are not only well-educated, but grounded in faith, strong in character, and prepared to serve God and others in all areas of life.

Eric Garcia

Boy's Dean

Esther Garcia

Girl's Dean

Jen Tiemann

Physical Education

I am Jen Tiemann but my students have always called me Mrs. T. I'm a wife to Barry, mom to Cambria and Carson, and "Jemma" to my adorable grandson, Juno. I live in Linden, Michigan and taught kindergarten, third grade and sixth grade before moving to physical education. I got my teaching degree from Saginaw Valley State University and when I'm not teaching PE I enjoy spending my time blogging, reading, running, eating mexican food, cuddling my dog, Buddy, and going to every garage sale that I can find.